Jig for pre-assembling plumbing units



Dec. 31, 1957 J. H. JONES JIG FOR PRE-ASSEMBL-ING PLUMBING UNITS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1955 .7 Ill}... 1

Jon-I H. JONES nil-b ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 31, 1957 J. H. JONES 4 217,892

JIG FOR PIKE-ASSEMBLING PLUMBING UNITS IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS JOHN JONES Dec. 31, 1957 J. H. JONES JIG FOR FEE-ASSEMBLINGPLUMBING UNITS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 11, 1955 INVENTOR JOHN H.JONES ATTORNEYS United States Patent-O JIG FOR PRE-ASSEMl-BLING PLUMBINGUNITS John H. Jones, Carmichael, Califi, assignor, by mesne assignments,to B & J Manufacturing Company, Carmichael, Calif, 21 copartnershipconsisting of Custer R. Benson, Jack De Lain, and Ralph D. LingenfelterApplication July 11, 1955, Serial No. 521,107

3 Claims. (Cl. 29-287) This invention relates to a jig forpie-assembling plumbing units. It consists of the combinations,constructions and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter described andclaimed.

At the present time, it is a common practice for plumbtion, it isproposed to provide an adjustable jig, whereby various plumbing unitsmay be readily assembled. Moreover, the jig may be easily adjusted topermit different arrangements and combinations of pipes and fittings tobe obtained, all with the minimum amount of effort.

It will be appreciated, of course, that when homes are built insubdivisions, many of the floor plans are the same, although variousmodifications are often made. Thus the plumbing in many of the homes isidentical with one another, requiring the assembling of a plurality ofidentical units. The same is true of the duplication of plumbing unitsin oflice buildings, etc. My jig is designed in such a manner as to aidthe plumbers in assembling the required units, permitting the jig to bechanged rapidly from one set-up to another.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues.The novel features will be set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

DRAWINGS For a better understanding of my invention, reference should behad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of my jig forpre-assembling plumbing units, portions being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the plane IIII ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of one of the adjustablepipe-supports, as seen from the plane III-III of Figure 2, but showingits pipe-supporting saddle as being turned into a different angularposition from that of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the same pipesupport, as observedfrom the vertical plane IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V--V of Figure 2,disclosing another pipe-support, but showing its twin saddle supportturned into another position from that of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the jig,illustratingan alternate method of preassembling plumbing units,

Detailed description Referring now to the drawings, it will be notedthat I have provided a jig indicated generally at A, which is adapted tobe used for pre-assembling plumbing units B. The latter are generallyreferred to in the trade as Christmastrees; and, of course, vary inaccordance with the plumbing requirements at a particular location.

For the purpose of illustration only, the plumbing unit or Christmastree B has been disclosed as including a main outlet or soil pipe 10,which leads to the sewer line. As shown in Figure 1, the pipe 10 has thelower end of a conventional elbow 11 connected thereto, while the upperend of this elbow is coupled to a T 12, the latter being arrangedvertically above the elbow.

Moreover, the unit B has been shown as having a drain pipe 14 coupledthereto, with this pipe extending to traps of wash basin and bath tuboutlet pipes 15 and 16, respectively, so as to receive water therefrom.Also, the unit provides a second T 17, which is coupled to the first T12, with the T 17 having a drain pipe 18 leading therefrom to a toiletoutlet pipe 1? (see Figure 1). For venting the system a vent pipe 17ahas been provided at the top of the T 17.

As previously expressed, and here repeated, the plumbing unit B has beenselected only for the purpose of illustrating the use of my jig A. It iswell known that the joints provided by the various fittings of this unitare caulked and then sealed by molten lead. My jig is designed to holdthe fittings and pipes in proper relation with one another, while theyare caulked and sealed. Also, the jig may be readily adjusted so thatall parts of the plumbing unit or Christmas tree may be assembled tomeet the set up required for a particular home or ofiice building.

Furthermore, after the jig has been adjusted for the pre-assembling of aparticular plumbing unit B, the latter may be duplicated many times.Thus considerable time and labor may be saved, when providing plumbingunits for subdivisions, wherein the floor plans of many homes areidentical or similar to one another.

Broadly speaking, the jig A includes an elongated supporting member Cfor holding the main outlet pipe 10, a I

stand -D for retaining the elbow 11 in position, an adjustable support Eon which the drain pipe 14 is mounted, and a second adjustable support Ffor holding the drain pipe 18 in proper position. Also, the jig providesa horizontally-disposed circular base track G around which the supportsE and F may be adjusted,'independently of one another.

In its structural features, the circular track G defines cylindrical rim20 having reinforcing bars 21 secured in any suitable manner to the basethereof. Moreover, a diametrically-extending swivel bar base 22 is fixedto the cylindrical rim 29 of the track (see Figures 1, 2 and 5). Thistrack is adapted to rest directly upon the ground or floor 23 so as tobe supported thereby.

As shown in the drawings, the elongated supporting member C has beenprovided by a structural channel. The web 24 and flanges 25 of thischannel define a guide in which the main outlet pipe 10 may be placed.The channel overlies the cylindrical rim 20 of the track and is securedthereto, for example, by welding 26 (see Figure 2). 1

Generally speaking, the member C extends radially with respect to thecircular track, and has its outer end 27 projecting to .a considerabledistance beyond the periphcry of thetrack. This endof the channel isprovided with an angle-shaped foot 27a, which is adapted to rest on theground or floor 23 to hold the channel against tilting. This footextends laterally beyond both sides of the channel. However, the innerend 28 of the channelshaped member G is disposed between the verticalaxis 29 of the circular tracl; and the side 30 of the latter opposite tothe projecting end 27 of the channel (see Figure 2).

In order to retain the elbow 11 in place with one end thereof projectingupwardly, the stand D is provided with a horizontal foot 31 thereon,which is adapted to be telescoped under a bracket 32 fixed to the web 24of the channel-shaped member C. Also, a set-screw 33 is threaded throughthe bracket 32 for the purpose of clamping the stand D in adjustedposition relative to the vertical axis 29 of the track. This stand isprovided with an areshaped saddle 34 at its top, the latter beingpositioned to embrace an upper portion of the elbow so as to hold thelatter against turning or displacement. As disclosed in Figure l, aspring-tension chain 36' is attached to the saddle 34 and is loopedaround the elbow 11, thus keeping the latter in place when hammering onthe main outlet or soil pipe 10.

In connection with the adjustable support E, it will be observed that ahorizontal beam or arm 36 extends radially from the outer periphery ofthe cylindrical rim 20. The inner end of this beam is provided with acurved guide bar 37, which is adapted to abut the outer peripheralsurface of the rim 20 (see Figures 2 and 3). An angle-shaped bracket 38is secured to the top of the beam 36, and hooks over the inner surfaceof the rim 20. The vertical leg of this bracket carries a set-screw 39,whereby the beam may be clamped to the rim 20.

it will be quite apparent that the beam 36 may be adjusted to anyangular or radial position along the cir cular track G, with theexception of the space occupied by the channel-shaped member C. Whenthis beam is moved to a position extending from the right-hand side ofthe circular track (Figure 2), and in prolongation with.

the channel, C, the bracket 38 may be inserted into a slot 4& fashionedin the swivel bar base 22.

Moreover, the adjustable support E includes. a slide 41, which may beadjusted lengthwise of the beam 36, and then clamped to the beam bytightening a set-screw 42 (see Figures 1 to 3, inclusive). This slidehas an upright tubular standard 43 fixed thereto so as to risetherefrom. An adjustable standard 44 is telescoped into the standard 43,and the former may be raised, lowered or rotated relative to the latter.A set-screw 45 is carried by the standard 43 so as to clamp the standard44 in adjusted position.

At the top of the adjustable standard 44 there is provided a curvedsaddle 46, which has been used in the present disclosure for supportingthe drain pipe 14. Quite .n

obviously, the pipe 14 may extend in difierent directions from the T 12and at varying heights above the main outlet pipe 10, depending upon theparticular plumbing situation. The adjustable standard B may be changedin angular or radial relation around the track G, and the standard 44may be raised or lowered, thus providing the proper support for the pipe14, or other suitable part of the plumbing or Christmas tree unit B.

As a further structural feature, the tubular standard 43 has an outersleeve 47 telescoped thereover. The sleeve may be adjusted up and downon the standard 43, or rotated relative to the latter, and then clampedin adjusted position by a set-screw 48. The sleeve 47 is provided with acurved saddle 49, which may be utilized for supporting a pipe 50. Thelatter has been illustrated in Figure 2 as extending in angular relationwith respect to the main outlet pipe 10 and communicating therewith.

Turning now to the details of the adjustable support F, as shown inFigures 1, 2 and 5, it includes a swingable arm 51, which is disposedradially of the circular track G. The inner end of this arm isinterposed between the swivel bar base 22 and the web 24 of the channelmember C, and is pivotally secured to both by a journal pin or bolt 52.This pin coincides with the vertical axis 29 of the circular track, andthus the arm 51 may be swung horizontally into any desired radialposition relative to the circular track, with the exception of the spaceoccupied by the channel member C.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the arm 51 has a downwardly-extendingflange 53 at its outer end, which is disposed to ride along the exteriorperiphery of the cylindrical rim 20, and may be clamped thereto bytightening a set-screw 54. This arm has a tubular standard 55 fixedthereto so as to extend vertically therefrom. It will be noted that anadjustable standard 56 is telescoped into the standard 55 so that theformer may be raised, lowered or rotated relative to the latter. Aset-screw 57 is provided on the standard 55 for clamping the standard 56in adjusted position.

Moreover, the standard .56 is provided at its top with a twin saddleunit, which is designated generally at H in Figures 1 and 5. The curvedsaddle 58 of this unit is disposed directly above this standard, whilethe curved saddle 59 projects laterally from the standard 56. Asillustrated in Figures 2 and 5, the drain pipe 18 is supported by thesaddle 58, since this pipe has been disclosed as extending in angularrelation with respect to the main outlet or soil pipe 10. However, inthe event that the pipe 18 is arranged directly above the pipe 10,

in order to meet the plumbing situation, the saddle 59 is long enough toextend over the channel member C to thereby constitute a support for thepipe 18. This arrangement is necessary, since the arm 51 cannot swingbeneath the channel.

It will be appreciated that in different buildings the outlet pipe 10might vary in directions, according to the location of the main sewer.Also, if the plumbing unit or Christmas tree B is quite heavy, the pipe10 and the elbow 11 may be omitted during prefabrication and installedlater on the job. For this reason, I have provided a cup 60 that isswingably secured by a hinge 61 to the top of the stand D.

Normally, the cup 60 is disposed in an out-of-the-way position, as shownin Figure 1, thus allowing the elbow 11 and the outlet pipe 10 to bepre-assembled with the remainder of the unit B. However, Figure 6illustrates the cup 60 as being swung into a position wherein it willrest on the top of the saddle 34, with the rim 62 of the cup extendingupwardly. At this time, the lower end 1211 of the T 12 may be telescopedinto the cup for support thereby. The remaining parts of the unit B maybe assembled in the manner previously described, by utilizing thg jig A,and the elbow 11 and the pipe 10 added on the ]O Particular attention iscalled to the fact that the axes of the Ts 12 and 17 coincide with thevertical axis 29 of. the circular base track G. Thus these Ts may beturned about their respective axis so that the pipes 14 and 18 willextend in the desired direction.

I claim:

1. In a jig for pre-assembling plumbing units: an elongated supportingmember designed to have a main outlet pipe of a plumbing unit placeddirectly thereon for support thereby; a stand secured to said member andprojecting thereabove; the stand having a horizontally-disposed saddlethereon, which is arranged to embrace a verticallyarranged upper end ofan elbow, the latter being connected to the outlet pipe, to therebyretain the elbow in position. when additional fittings and pipes of theplumbing unit are added to and above the elbow; a horizontally-disposedcircular base track secured to said elongated member; an

arm disposed radially relative to the circular base track and projectingtoward the vertical axis of the track; an

adjustable support carried by the arm, and having means disposed forsupporting a selected part of the plumbing unit as the latter isassembled; the arm and its adjustable support being swingable along thetrack into various radial positions, while still projecting toward thevertical axis of the track; the stand and its saddle being adjustableto- Ward and away from said vertical axis of the circular track, wherebyelbows of difierent sizes may be supported by the saddle with the upperend of the elbow being arranged concentric with said axis.

2. The jig for pre-assembling plumbing units, as defined in claim 1; andin which said elongated member consists of a horizontally-disposedchannel, which has spacedapart flanges projecting upwardly from its web;the flanges and web providing a guide in which the main outlet pipe maybe placed and held; said member being disposed radially relative to thecircular track.

3. In a jig for pro-assembling plumbing units: an elongated supportingmember designed to have a main outlet pipe of a plumbing unit placeddirectly thereon for support thereby; a stand secured to said member,and having means thereon to support a vertically-arranged upper end ofan elbow, the latter being connected to said pipe, to thereby retain theelbow in position when additional fittings and pipes of the plumbingunit are added to and above the elbow; a horizontally-disposed circularbase track secured to said elongated member, and defining a circularrim; a swingable arm disposed radially relative to the track, and havingits inner end pivotally secured to the elongated member at the verticalaxis of the circular track; said elongated member overlying the circulartrack and projecting radially therebeyond; the arm having an outer endmovable around the track, with the exception of that part of the trackoccupied by said member; means releasably clamping the arm in adjustedposition relative to the track; an adjustable support carried by theswingable arm and rising therefrom, and including a standard which has asaddle projecting laterally from the standard; this saddle being movableinto a position directly overlying the elongated member, when the arm ismoved into a position adjacent to said member, whereby a part of theplumbing unit may be supported by this saddle in a position directlyover the main outlet pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS546,421 Duke Sept. 17, 1895 342,007 Parker Jan. 22, 1907 1,465,330Ardner Aug. 21, 1923 2,427,695 Smith Sept. 23, 1947 2,453,046 SuttonNov. 2, 1948 2,774,134 Smith et al Dec. 18, 1956

